What Is The 355 U Pill? Everything You Need To Know

The 355 U pill is a 50 mg tablet of tramadol hydrochloride. It is an opioid drug used to treat back and chronic and severe pain. It can be easily identified by its light yellow color, oblong shape, and imprint of 355 U. Being an opioid drug, it can have serious side effects. One can also develop a dependence on 355 U that results in experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is terminated.

What Is the 355 U Pill, and What Is It Used For?

The 355 U pill is the branded medication from Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), inc., of a 50 mg capsule of Tramadol Hydrochloride.  Tramadol hydrochloride is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is easily identified as an oblong yellow tablet imprinted with 355 U. Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally-acting analgesic with opioid and non-opioid activity. Tramadol 50 mg is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). [1]

How to Identify a 355 U Pill

Most medications, especially pills, have distinct, identifiable criteria so that pharmacists and healthcare providers can identify the drug quickly and easily. A tramadol 355 U pill can be identified by its [2]

• Color: Yellow
• Shape: Oblong
• Form: Tablet
• Scoring: No scoring line
• Imprint: 355 U
• Size: 13 mm
• Strength: 50 mg

This is the branded version of Tramadol Hydrochloride from Unichem Pharmaceuticals; other brands may have different identifying criteria. It is important to note if a pill is unmarked, it may be an illicit drug or a counterfeit production of the drug and should not be taken.

Side Effects of Tramadol

Typical side effects that do not require medical attention include:[3]

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

More serious side effects that you should report to your medical provider immediately or seek emergency medical attention, depending on the severity, include:[4]

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Central Nervous System depression: slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, difficulty staying awake
• Low adrenal gland function: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
• Low blood pressure: dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Low blood sugar: tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
• Low sodium level: muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion
• Skin issues: redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Seizures: uncontrollable convulsions

Tramadol Withdrawal

Tramadol withdrawal can occur when the medication is stopped abruptly or even with a gradual dose reduction if the body has developed dependence. Tramadol withdrawal symptoms can start 8-24 hours after the last dose and, if left untreated, can last anywhere from 4-10 days.[5]

The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the dose you are taking and if you have become physically dependent on tramadol.  If you are physically dependent on a medication, you have to take it, or you will experience withdrawal symptoms. How long it takes to develop physical dependence varies by person and dose. These common symptoms make up about 90% of cases of tramadol withdrawal.[6]

The most frequently experienced tramadol withdrawal symptoms include:[7]

• Flu-like symptoms
• Restlessness
• Drug craving

Other common symptoms of tramadol withdrawal include:[8]

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Diarrhea
• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Goosebumps
• Chills

Rarer withdrawal symptoms can occur in about 10% of cases and include:[9]

• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Extreme anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Confusion
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities

Tapering off tramadol can prevent or minimize withdrawal symptoms. Tapering should be an individualized plan between you and your medical provider. If you have been on tramadol for a short time, you may be able to taper off the drug quicker than someone who has been taking it for a longer time.

Things to consider when creating your taper plan with your medical provider include:

• The dose you have been taken
• How long you have been taking tramadol
• The type of pain that’s being treated with tramadol
• Your physical and mental health

If you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms, you may need to pause the tapering schedule, or your medical provider may have you resume your previous dose until symptoms subside and then restart with a slower and more gradual taper plan.

Can You Overdose on The 355 U Pill?

You are at risk of overdosing if you take more than the recommended dose or take it in a way other than prescribed, such as crushing, chewing, or snorting tramadol tablets. This can alter the dosage and delivery and increase the risk of overdose. Tramadol overdose symptoms include:[10]

• Respiratory depression
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Cold and clammy skin
• Constricted pupils
• Muscle flaccidity
• Pulmonary edema
• Slow heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Death

In case of a tramadol overdose emergency, medical attention should be sought immediately to prevent or reestablish breathing and circulatory function. Opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (Narcan), can be administered to counteract respiratory depression due to an opioid overdose. However, naloxone may not reverse all symptoms of a tramadol overdose, especially seizures, which is why it is important to seek medical attention.

You may wish to talk to your healthcare provider about a naloxone prescription while taking tramadol. This rescue medication helps reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose. It is useful to have on hand when you have an opioid prescription in case of an emergency, such as an accidental overdose or someone in your household accessing medications and overdosing.

Other Effects of Tramadol

Two of tramadol’s common side effects are drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience these side effects, you should not drive, use machinery, or do other tasks that require alertness while taking this medication. Take time when standing up from a seated or lying position to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting. Alcohol should be avoided when taking tramadol as it can exacerbate side effects.

Considerations When Taking Tramadol

Tramadol is an opioid pain medication that was developed as a safer alternative to other opioid drugs. However, it is still a dangerous drug that has the potential for misuse, abuse, and addiction. Tramadol still stimulates the opioid receptors in the brain, causing it to have an addiction potential.

As with all medications, but especially opioids, tramadol should be prescribed for the shortest amount of time and at the lowest dose possible to reduce the risk of developing tolerance and possible dependence.

If you do develop a dependence on tramadol, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking it. There are treatment options for addiction and managing withdrawal symptoms can be managed by slowly tapering off the medication while being monitored by your healthcare provider.

You may wish to seek medical detox in an addiction treatment center to avoid complications that may arise from withdrawal. Treatment programs also provide additional support to help in your substance use recovery and reduce the chances of relapse.